I was under the impression that guilt (except in the cas of secret crimes) was not really an issue to Heortlings. It is not a case, if Hengst kills Kofti over the price of some eggs of whether Hengist is guilty or not, it is a case of finding a settlement that'll stop their respective clans butchering each other.
Admittedly, Kofti's clan might be more willing to accept peace if Hengist says sorry, blames possession by Iphara for his madness and offers a good wergild. On the other hand, if Kofti's clan are small and weak, and Hengsts large and influential (and he has their support), Hengst might not give a fig for what anyone thinks of his "innocence"...
At least that's the way I understand Heortling law. Of coarse, if everyone (including the Tribal King) think Hengst is a homicidal b*stard they might side with Kofti's kin, but politics, loyalties, debts and personal popularity get in the way,
"Yes, Hengst is an unlikable psycho, but he helped defend us against broo that time and remember when he stood over the wounded king's fallen body all day during the big battle and single handedly fought all comers.. And his clan lent us some of their dairy cows when ours had swollen udders, and anyway, they have loads of weaponthanes and we really could do without starting a fight with them just now...shame about poor Kofti but hi ho, we'll make a big cake for his funeral..."
Dougie.
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